Frequently Asked Questions

Transfer of Credits
Transfer Credits to an MA
Transfer Credits to an EdS
Transfer Credits to an EdD or PhD
Provisional Acceptance
Status Categories
Summer Orientation
International Students

Transfer of Credits

Q: I am a master's degree student but I took a few classes at another university.  Can I transfer my courses into this program?

A: Yes.  You can transfer in 6 graduate credits from another accredited institution if: (1) you received grades of B (3.0) or above
(2) the courses were taken less than 6 years before your expected graduation year in the program

For more information  on transferring credits in the Eds, EdD or PhD please click here.

Create a separate a page for the info below.  The Q & A should should only have questions and answers not too much text.  Make the questions bold and the titles of the section larger so people can see the different subjects.

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Transfer Credits to an MA

Graduate credits taken at another accredited/recognized institution fewer than six calendar years before the expected graduation year may be transferred and applied toward a masters degree. An MA student can transfer in 6 out of the 36 credits if those credits have grades of B (3.0) or above. The Andrews University credits taken toward the Masters degree constitute at least 80% of the requirements for the degree.

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Transfer Credits to an EdS

EdS students must take a minimum of 24 credits from Andrews University toward the total required 64 credits. The remaining credits may be transferred to Andrews University. To qualify, credits must be from an accredited university and grades must be B (3.0) or higher.

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Transfer Credits to an EdD or PhD

Up to 42 qualifying graduate semester credits will count towards the total 90 credits and may be transferred into the Higher Education Administration doctoral program. To qualify, credits must be from an accredited university and grades must be B (3.0) or higher.

Credits earned before acceptance into the doctoral program: In order to request that qualifying graduate credits be transferred, the participant must submit a Transfer Petition Request to the Graduate Programs office. Staff at the Higher Education Administration program office will automatically fill out this form from available admission transcripts. It is the participant’s responsibility, however, to provide official transcripts that come directly from the institution to Andrews University, and to check with the Higher Education Administration program office to confirm that all intended transfer credits are included.

Credits earned after acceptance into the doctoral program: Participants who wish to obtain transfer credit from another university after acceptance into the Higher Education Administration doctoral program must petition for the approval of such credits before taking the courses intended to be transferred. To do so, the participant must provide a copy of the description of the course (a course outline is helpful), and submit it with a Graduate Petition Form to his or her advisor for approval. (See Graduate Petition at  http://www.andrews.edu/ceis/resources/doctoral_forms.html.)  These credits must be included as part of the 42 semester transfer credits. They may not count as part of the required 32 non-dissertation credits.

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Provisional Acceptance

Q:I haven't take the GRE Exam.  Is that a requirement to be accepted into the program?

A: Provided your other application material is completed and indicates that you would be successful participant in our program, you may be provisionally accepted without taking the GRE exam.  But to achieve active and regular program acceptance you will need to report the scores of your GRE within your first year of study.

For more information on provisional, regular, and ptc status categories, please click here:

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Status Categories

The Higher Education Administration faculty recommends acceptance into the program based on several criteria including, but not limited to, the minimum outcomes required by the School of Graduate Studies and the additional Higher Education Administration admission requirements. The decision of the Graduate Education Programs Committee is final.

- Regular Status

An applicant who meets all of the admission requirements of the University and the Higher Education Administration Program may be eligible for regular admission status in the current annual cohort. However, the decision to recommend admission is based on the vote of the Higher Education Administration faculty. In order to maintain regular status, a Higher Education Administration participant must register at least one semester out of every year.

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- Provisional Status

The Higher Education Administration faculty may, at its discretion, recommend acceptance for participants who do not meet all of the requirements for regular admission if, in its judgment, the applicant demonstrates the ability to be successful in the program. Such individuals may be admitted on a provisional basis under specific provisions voted by the faculty. These provisions must be met and regular status must be granted by the time the participant completes 50% of the program’s coursework. In the event a participant on provisional status fails to meet the specifications of their acceptance, they may be released from the program.         

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- Guest Student Permission to Take Class (PTC) Status

Occasionally an unusual situation merits allowing a participant to take Higher Education Administration credits before official acceptance. When this occurs, the faculty must grant Guest Student Permission to Take Class (PTC). However, Guest Student Permission to Take Class (PTC) does not guarantee regular or provisional admission. Only eight credits taken on Guest Student Permission to Take Class (PTC) status may apply toward a degree. To transfer Guest Student Permission to Take Class (PTC) courses, submit a Guest Student Permission to Take Class (PTC) Transfer Petition Form for approval by advisor, program coordinator, and Director of Graduate Programs. The Higher Education Administration Program office will automatically fill out this form. Check with the Higher Education Administration Program office to confirm that all intended transfer credits are included. 

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Summer Orientation 

Q: I applied for the program and got accepted but I can't travel to the Andrews campus to attend the Orientation: Introduction to Leadership, in the summer.  I will only be able to start school fall.  Can I start classes without first attending Orientation?

A:Unfortunately No.  Although you can be accepted into the program at any time during the year, attending the face to face meeting in the summer is a requirement.  Please make the necessary arrangements to attend this very important week long event. 

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International Students

Q: I'm an international student.  Are there special admissions requirements that apply to me?

A: Yes.  Please click here for more information: http://www.andrews.edu/future/apply/international/index.html 

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